#17 Dr Samantha Meints - Pain Psychology

Hello and welcome to the World of Pain MD podcast, where we discuss all things pain with the experts.  

I am Dr Derick Davis, a physician specializing in pain management. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Samantha Meints, a clinical pain psychologist. 

Dr. Meints received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Butler University, then attended Purdue University, where she obtained her PhD. She is now a clinical psychologist and established researcher at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham Hospital. 

In our conversation, Dr. Meints breaks down what it really means to be a pain psychologist—dispelling myths like “your pain is all in your head”—and explains how stress, trauma, and even negative thought patterns can amplify pain. She shares a personal connection to the field of pain, having suffered from psoriatic arthritis since she was 11 years old. 

We’ll explore how therapies like CBT, ACT, and mindfulness can help patients regain function, reframe their relationship with pain, and even reduce its intensity. 

And we’ll talk about why there are so few pain psychologists, what barriers patients face in accessing care, and the practical steps anyone can start using today to better manage their pain.

So let’s get into it, and as always, thanks so much for watching or listening. I hope you enjoy this episode and learn something.

*not medical advice* *for education only*

#psychology #pain #medicine 

All Things Pain With The Experts